|
The Jain Food Philosophy and its
influence on India
Vegetarian Cookbooks
-
Indian vegetarian cook books
Jainisim is governed with the idea of non-violence or ahimsa. This high ideal has
had a tremendous influence on India's cuisine resulting in India's glorious vegetarian
culture
Jainism is a very
evolved philosophy and a very gentle religion. Many Jains have very soft and
peaceful souls and very simple lives and they command respect wherever they go. This
philosophy was also seen as having many good ideals by ancient India and many of its
principles have been naturally incorporated into Hinduism and India's culinary culture.
Jainism takes non
violence to a very strict level and respect life at any level including plant life.
They make sure that there lifestyle does not cause injury to anyone. Gandhiji has
been influenced greatly by this philosophy and in turn influencing Martin Luther King to
resort to non violence.
As a result of this
the Jain diet consists of grains like wheat, rice, lentils or pulses and beans, oil-seeds
are recommended as they fall under the category of non-injurious food. They are yielded
only when their plants get dried of their own after their age ends. Fruits and
vegetables that become ripe on the plants or branches of trees or those that fall on their
own after becoming ripe, are used for food.
Jains are strict
vegetarians and many also avoid root vegetables as it is violent to plants. They also
avoid any liquor so they can live a mindful life. Other aspects of their food philosophy
is that they regularly offer food to poor people, fast on certain days, do not waste any
food, drink filtered water and eat after sunrise and before sunset.
In Jain conduct, uneatables are
stated to be of five kinds:
Articles involving injury or death of mobile-beings e.g. Meat.
Articles involving injury or death to many creatures
E.g. Root vegetables as they involve destruction of countless one-sensed beings.
Intoxicants e.g. Wine etc.
Articles not worthy of use e.g. Saliva, Stool, and Urine.
Deprecables Articles causing harm to the health are uneatables of the fifth category.
Jain ideas can be
traced back to the seventh century B>C> in India, though it was Mahavir Jain who
formalized the philosophy of what was to be known as Jainism in the sixth century.
Mahavira, most likely born around 540 BC, was a Kshatriya of high Licchavi tribal birth.
At the age of 30, he renounced family life and proceed to live, for the next 12 years, as
an ascetic
The Consecration of Mahavira. Gujarat, 1404. Miniature from Jaina manuscript, the
Kalpasutra. 7x10 cms. Collection: British Museum, London.
Jain Recipes
Mix vegetable dal Serves 4 to 5 persons
Ingredients:
50 grms each moongdal, tuvar dal, urad dal, chana dal, chori, 4 pieces cloves, cimmamon,
bay leaf, one small piece nutmeg, 3 cardamom small and 3 cardamom large, salt, red chili
powder, turmeric powder, coriander seed powder to taste four tomatoes cut into pieces.
Method:
cook all mix dals in pressure cooker with 1 liter of water. Heat oil in a pan add 4 pieces
cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, one small piece nutmeg, 3 cardamom small and 3 cardamom large,
salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander seed powder to taste four tomatoes cut
into pieces. Stir for 5 minutes and add boiled dal heat it for 10 minutes and serve hot.
Fresh Coconut curry Serves 4 to 5 Persons
Ingredients:
2 fresh coconuts, l spoon gram flour, 1 boiled banana skinned and cut into pieces, 100
grms boiled green peas, 100 grms boiled French beans cut into small pieces, one green, red
or yellow capsicum cut into pieces, oil, mustard seeds and cumin seeds, chili powder and
salt to taste.
Grind coconut with two cup of water to very thin paste. Heat oil add mustard and cumin
seeds. When done add coconut milk and gram flour to it. Stir for 5 to 10 minutes on low
flame, add 3 glasses of water and boil for 5 minutes then add banana boiled, capsicum,
French beans, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt to taste.
Click here for subscribing Culinary Journeys
Indian
Cook Books and their Reviews
tags : jain root vegetables, jain food recipes, jain diet,
mindful eating, spirutial diet, kindness, vegetarian, vegan, Indian, Find vegetarian
indian food, south indian food, best indian food, indians food, indian food cooking,
indian food recipe, go vegan, healthy, eat healthy, nonviolence, non-violence, animal
rights, animal welfare, nutrition, advocacy, animal cruelty, compassion, environment, save
the earth, ways to help the earth, help animals, anti-cruelty, humane education, animal
liberation, compassionate living, healthy eating
BACK TO INDIAN FOOD BLOG
|
|
